It might take a bit longer to go through a roll of tape than a roll of toilet paper or paper towels, but those hard circular centers hidden underneath the tape have a myriad of different uses. However, this is only true if you’re willing to get a bit creative with your leftovers. Repurposing something as simple as a ring of plastic or cardboard might seem a bit frivolous, but if you’re a crafter or you’re committed to the low-waste lifestyle, you know that this tiny piece can actually make a grade-A DIY material. Because of this, the next time you go through a roll of tape, consider transforming the leftover piece into one of the following 16 items instead of tossing it in the garbage.
According to data from Statista from March 2024, 21% of respondents said they regularly upcycled used materials. Because of this, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to reducing the average consumer’s waste. By reframing your purchases, thinking thoroughly about how you could reuse items that would otherwise go into the trash, and getting creative with the materials that you have on hand rather than purchasing something new, you can help both the environment and your wallet — even if you’re just finding another use for the tiny piece of cardboard at the end of your roll of tape.
1. Wrapping paper cuff
While it’s an undisputed essential item especially during the winter months, wrapping paper spends most of its time rolled up in a bin or stuffed in the corner of a closet waiting until the next major gifting event. Because of this, proper wrapping paper storage is absolutely necessary. If you notice that your wrapping paper keeps coming unrolled and wrinkled but you don’t want to damage it by securing the end with a piece of tape, simply slide an empty tape roll over it. You’ll be able to remove your makeshift holder without having to rip off pieces of tape and waste wrapping paper each time.
2. Jewlery dish
When you think of a jewelry dish, it’s likely that an old tape roll isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, because of how sturdy the material is, these rolls can make a great base for a dish that can house your collection of accessories. Cut out a piece of cardboard or cardstock to create a bottom for your dish, then attach it to the roll with glue or tape. Cover the whole thing in a layer of fabric, patterned paper, contact paper, or even glued-on gemstones, and you’ll have a dish that will keep all of your go-to jewelry items accessible and in one spot.
3. Pen holder
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One roll of tape might be too short to act as a functional organizer, but when stacked together, multiple can become the perfect height to keep all of your writing utensils handy on your desk. Cover your tape holders in your desired material — wrapping them in yarn can create a fun, soft look, but you could also use contact paper, ribbon, or even just paint. Once you’re done, stack up your tape holders and hot glue them together, making sure they are stacked as straight as possible. Glue a small circle of cardboard to the bottom as a base, and your pen holder is ready to go.
4. Mini gift baskets
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If you’re looking for a way to add more interest to a goodie bag, this DIY idea is the perfect place to start. Grab a few old tape rolls, cut out some cardboard circles to create a bottom, then glue everything together. Give everything a coat of paint, then get to work doodling on your designs or characters. This idea could work well with Santa and elves for Christmas, Jack-O-Lanterns and black cats for Halloween, or even just some simple floral or striped patterns for baby showers or birthdays. Fill your painted basket with treats, then place it in a clear bag to finish off your gift.
5. Desktop organizer
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When you stack them up together, tape rolls can make for a great pen organizer, but single, shorter tape rolls can serve an important purpose, too. To make an organizer with differently-sized sections, cut out a few cardboard bases to attach to the bottom of your tape rolls, then begin gluing everything together. Cover them in paper, tape, or fabric to conceal the seams, then attach your individual sections to each other. Use the taller section as a pen holder and the shorter ones to hold onto erasers, paperclips, pushpins, or any other small essentials you like to keep handy at your desk.
6. 3D art
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Upcycling items that would otherwise go straight into the trash doesn’t always have to create a practical final product. Sometimes, it pays to use these items as an opportunity to explore different artistic techniques. For this idea, you’ll need some paper, a crafting knife, your tape roll, some glue, and your pens or paints of choice. Create a mini scene out of paper in several layers, cut them out, then stagger them in your tape roll to make your own 3D display. Thread some fishing wire through the top to hang it on your wall or attach a magnet to the back to stick it to your fridge.
7. Hanging light display
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While tape rolls can be used to hold items while laying flat on a surface, they can also be repurposed into adorable mini shelves. Decorate your tape rolls as desired, either adding in a paper backing or leaving them open for a more minimalistic look. Thread a string through the top of the rolls to suspend them. Connect them to a pole at different lengths to create a wall display, then hang the pole on the wall with more string. Add in some battery-operated lights or faux candles and you’ll have a fun light fixture for your wall that’s made almost entirely out of upcycled materials.
8. Mini basket decoration
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If you enjoy decorating for different holidays throughout the year, you know that buying all of these decorations can get expensive. Instead of heading to the store, why not try your hand at making your own? With an empty tape roll or two, some glue, and some ribbon, you can easily DIY a mini basket display that can be used for several different holidays. Fold over a piece of ribbon to create a handle, attach it to your tape roll, then cover the whole thing in ribbon. Once you’re done, fill up your basket with easter eggs, flowers, or candies to create the perfect versatile tabletop display.
9. Leftover yarn holder
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Making sure your yarn remains untangled is one of the biggest struggles that crocheters and knitters face, but an old roll of tape can help to ensure things stay snag-free. If you find that your skein of yarn is looking messy, try wrapping it around an empty roll of tape as a base. You can do this by running the yarn around the perimeter of the tape roll (just like how the tape was designed to wrap around it) for easy dispensing, but you could also wrap the yarn through the center of the roll if you want something that’s a bit more stable for long-term storage.
10. Wreath
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If you have quite a few tape rolls lying around, especially if they’re different sizes, consider turning them into a creative wreath. For this idea, all you’ll need are your rolls of tape, some paint, hot glue, and a ribbon. Arrange your empty tape rolls on a flat surface until you create a ring pattern you’re happy with, then start gluing everything together. Paint it all to ensure it looks seamless and tie a ribbon around the top so you can hang it on your door or wall. From there, you could even fill the spaces in the rolls with ornaments, flowers, or small decorations to fit the occasion.
11. Plant markers
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Traditionally, plant markers are stakes that are stuck straight into the soil to help identify the plants in your garden. Unfortunately, however, these markers can easily get lost under leaves, mulch, or low-lying stems. Instead, consider using old tape rolls as a potentially more visible tagging method. Cut larger tape rolls down the side, write the name on the surface, and apply them to the branches of larger plants like a cuff. Smaller tape rolls can do the same job for smaller plant varieties. Further, if you grow plants in pots, place the rings around the containers to easily label them.
12. Napkin rings
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Napkin rings are a great way to add a glamorous and decorative touch to your table settings for special occasions and holidays, but there’s no reason to shell out cash on something so simple, especially if you only plan to use them a handful of times each year. If you have smaller tape rolls lying around like those that come with scotch tape or washi tape, consider transforming them into napkin rings for your next event. Paint them, cover them with fabric, or decorate them with glue-on embellishments, then slip them onto your napkins to finish off your impeccable table décor.
13. Snow globe ornament
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Making handmade ornaments is one of the best ways to celebrate and get creative during the holiday season, but if you’re looking to add a bit more pizzazz to your traditional styles, consider making a 3D snow globe ornament. Begin by adding a backing to your empty tape roll and decorating it however you’d like. Add some knickknacks and small decorations to the empty space in the middle, making sure to thoroughly glue them down, and sprinkle in some glitter. Finally, glue a layer of clear plastic onto the front, and you have your own mini winter scene to hang on the tree.
14. Drawer organizers
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If you frequently travel or are short on room, you know that one of the most space-saving ways to fold your clothes involves rolling up smaller items. These rolled-up pieces can go straight into your drawer of course, but dividers can give your setup a bit more structure and make everything easier to find. To make your own drawer dividers for small items like underwear and socks, simply lay down some empty tape rolls in your drawer. Each roll can hold one item and will ensure that they don’t come unrolled or cause a mess as you dig for a specific piece of clothing.
15. Candle holder
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If you feel like your decorative candles are in need of a little more interest, consider making your own candle holder out of a tape roll. Larger tape rolls are about the right size to hold a thick pillar candle and they can be easily decorated to match your taste. Cover them in rope for a nautical or rustic look, add on a layer of festive ribbon to transform your candle into a holiday decoration, or draw on a custom design if you’re feeling artistic. Simply slip the candle in when you’re done — just make sure you don’t light it with any flammable decorations attached.
16. Seed starting tray
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Starting your own plants from seeds is a rewarding process that can help save you some money, but it requires a slightly-different setup than planting seedlings. If you’d rather avoid spending the extra cash on store-bought seed starting kits, there are plenty of ways to make your own. One such method only requires you to find something to act as a base, like a repurposed baking sheet, and create some smaller divisions to act as mini pots, like empty rolls of tape. Fill the empty tape rolls with soil, plant your seeds, and water generously. You should have healthy sprouting seedlings in no time.
